41 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date in the preparation of legislation to provide for a Defence Forces ombudsman. [24551/01]

87 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date in the preparation of legislation to provide for a Defence Forces ombudsman. [24698/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 87 together.

In July 2001, I obtained Government approval for the drafting of an Ombudsman Bill and the heads of Bill have been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government. I will publish the Bill in early November and it will be enacted by the Oireachtas by Easter 2002.

Question No. 42 answered with Question No. 7.

Question No. 43 answered with Question No. 13.